A Mathematics Don who has identified poor funding of tertiary education in Nigeria as a major constraint to its survival and development called for a sufficient increase in funds for running the Education sector.

Professor M. Kolawole Akinsola, Dean Faculty of Education, University of Ibadan made this notion at the opening ceremony of the First National Conference of the Centre For Advancement, Linkages And Alumni Relations (CEFALAR), Federal College of Education Abeokuta on the topic entitled “Enhancing The Promotion And Advancement of Tertiary Education In Nigeria: The Role of Stakeholders”.

The educationist, who is an alumnus of Federal College of Education, Abeokuta, while speaking at the conference, made it known that good inputs by stakeholders’ was required to engender all-round development of tertiary education in Nigeria, bearing in mind that the sector is cost consuming and capital intensive. According to him “the inputs matter if the outputs will be better’”.

While laying emphasis on the crucial roles of Alumni as external stakeholder, the Don who had served as visiting lecturer at the University of Botswana for four years, appealed to members of Federal College of Education, Abeokuta Alumni association present at the conference to collectively contribute to the advancement of F.C.E Abeokuta by raising funds and reaching out to other alumni who are less bothered. He stated “wherever we find ourselves we need to be ready to help, the approach by which we reach out to alumni have been poor”.

He further urged Federal Government to key into UNESCO’s 26% budget allocation for education, making reference to Ghana which allocates more than the recommended percentage for the education.

The Provost, Dr A. A Ajayi, ably represented by the Deputy Provost expressed happiness on the reality of the First National Conference of the Centre, celebrated the former Provost and founder Centre for Advancement (CEFAD) now Centre for Advancement, Linkages And Alumni Relations (CEFALAR), Dr kunle Filani, who was also the Chairman of occasion. He thereafter appreciated the Convener and the incumbent Director of the centre, Dr S.A Fajenyo for lifting the Centre to a greater height.

The Deputy Provost, Dr R. A Soyele, further submitted that stake holding roles, if properly played would go a long way in advancing the coast of tertiary education in Nigeria. He expressed optimism that the conference would solve lingering problems in the Education Sector.

Earlier in his opening remarks, the Chairman, Dr Kunle Filani, who expressed joy with the number of alumni present at the convention described it as a comeback home for all alumni. He further noted that the conference would be an eye opener for all stakeholders with the calibre of scholars invited to speak at the event.

In his own address, the Director CEFALAR, Dr S.A Fajenyo, declared that the conference was to show case the Centre to the public. He promised that the papers so presented at the conference would be assessed and published accordingly.

Also, present at the conference were, the lead paper presenter I, Professor S. Adebisi Onasanya, who is the Head of Department, Educational Technology, University of Ilorin; lead paper presenter II, Comrade Femi Keshinro of the Department of Technical Education, Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education and former member F.C.E, Abeokuta, Governing Council.

The College Registrar, Mr R.A Akinola, Deans, Directors, representatives of COEASU, SSUCOEN, NASU, representative of Federal College of Education, Zaria, the National President F.C.E Abeokuta Alumni association, Mr Temitope Balogun, CEFALAR Board Members and Scholars from all walks of life were also in attendance at the opening ceremony of the CEFALAR Conference.

In its mandate to boost the e-administration drive of the Provost, Dr A. A Ajayi, the Information and Communication Technology Unit of the College would henceforth conduct assessment tests and examinations using the Computer Based Test (CBT) for Education and General Studies Courses (GSE).

As a landmark achievement in the history of the college, a step by step guide on how to make use of the platform was organised for 100 and 200 level students at the college Smart Hall between Monday 10th April and Tuesday 11th April, 2017.

The Director ICT, Mr S. Agholor declared that the CBT platform would be used to conduct the forth coming examination in the College and also for subsequent examinations.

College Update congratulates College Management for this great and laudable feat!

The camaraderie and the spirit of brotherhood enjoyed by the out-going 2016/2017 Batch A Corps members could not be held back as Corps members who served in the college embraced one another and wished themselves good things of life at the send-off ceremony organised for them on Monday 10th April, 2017.

The Provost, Dr Ayodele Adetayo Ajayi, while speaking at the ceremony, encouraged the outgoing Corps members to strive to be independent and be ready to add value to the society stressing the need for them to think of what they can do on their own and not waiting for what government could offer them.

Dr A.A Ajayi who was represented by the new Deputy Provost, Dr Rafiu Adekola Soyele made it known that professing to be a graduate should not only be in words but should be followed by action. According to him, “when you call yourself a graduate, you should be able to identify problems and proffer solutions to them, so as not to be an educated illiterate”.

Dr Soyele further expressed the belief that the outgoing Corps members must have garnered required experiences while serving in the administrative and academic arms of the college because of the versatile and veteran administrators and academics they worked with in the Centre of Excellence.

Recalling his days as a Corps Member, the Deputy Provost appealed to the Corps members not to blow their Youthful exuberances out of proportion but should endeavour to be hard working and dedicated to duty. He further told the incoming Corps members to support the College Management revealing that many who desired to serve in the college were not so privileged.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Protocol Liaison Officer of the College, Mr Anthony Ogundipe, who is also in charge of Corps members’ matters and welfare, appreciated members of the College Management for their presence at the programme and requested them to pray and give words of advice to the 23 outgoing Corps Members.

In his response, the Internal “Corper” Liaison Officer (ICLO) for the Outgoing Corps members, Mr Bello Omogbolahan described their one year stay in the college as a “unique and unusual family like relationship, which memories would forever be cherished”.

Mr Bello who stated that parting was painful noted that “20 children can never play for 20 years” and further advised Corps members to exercise patience and deploy their maximum efforts to whatever they do.

The ICLO finally thanked the Provost, Dr A.A Ajayi, the Protocol Officer, Mr O.A Ogundipe and AO I (Information), Mr E.A Adesina, for the love shown to them as well as the fatherly advice given to them.

The send-off ceremony was witnessed by the college Registrar, Mr R.A Akinola; the College Bursar, represented by Mr T.A Itiola; and the Head Internal Audit, represented by Mr O.K Ogunsanya.

Women, known for their commitment and invaluable contributions in the home front and in the society at large have been seen as better administrators than men.

This assertion was made at the Women’s day organised by Women in Colleges of Education, (WICE), Federal College of Education, Abeokuta, to commemorate the celebration of International Women’s day held at the COEASU building of the college on March 28th, 2017.

While addressing the topic “Women in Administration and Women Development” the former Deputy Provost, Dr (Mrs) B.A Adeniji defined an administrator “as a person that directs or manages, either a man or a woman”, stressing that women listen better and are more sensitive to the need and demands of their workers.

The former Deputy Provost who expressed optimism that women could secure prominent administrative positions in tertiary institutions enjoined all women to have the right qualifications such as the academic credentials and requisite experiences.

Dr (Mrs) Adeniji finally identified the need to balance work and family, difficulty in search of mentor especially at the beginning of a new assignment among others to be the challenges facing women administrators.

Speaking at the event, the Keynote speaker, Dr (Mrs) Bola Ige, who spoke on the topic “International Women’s Day in Perspective”, described the annual celebration of Women in the World as a day to celebrate the social, cultural and political achievements of women that has since been observed from the 19th Century.

On the need for women to take the bull by horn and getting themselves involved in matters that concern them, Dr (Mrs) Bola Ige, advised, “We should not get involved in our culture, where rape cases are overlooked, where female girls are kidnapped, where women do not die naturally but from torture from men, in politics where women are deputies and insignificant, intimidated and tagged prostitute”.

Responding to the abuse of female gender by men, the scholar declared that men should be subjected to psychological test. she went further to enjoin all women to participate in many of the events happening around the world to get back women’s rightful place so as to project them to the desired limelight.

Other topics addressed by various speakers at the event were, “The Career Woman and her Home” by Mrs F. F. Sogaolu, a former Bursar of the College and Director OVL; “The Christian Perspective of Women Development” by Dr (Mrs) T. A Olanrewaju; “The Islamic Perspective of Women Development” by Alhaja Fausat Shehu; “The Cultural Perspective of Women Development” by Mrs Joy Mbamalu, among others.

In her vote of thanks, the chairman WICE Abeokuta Chapter, DR. F.A.O Akinnusi, thanked all the speakers and made it known that the body’s membership is open to all women irrespective of their status within the college.

With heavy heart, the Provost hereby condoles with the families, friends and College community on the demise of the Professor E.O.A Ajayi; Elder J.O Obawusi and Mr K.C Oduneyi.

Professor Emmanuel Oluwakayode Ajayi, an academic colossus became a Professor at the age of 35, making him the youngest to attain that position in Nigeria. He was the Provost of the College between 1991 and 1995, known for publish or perish mantra. He introduced academic excellence into teaching and learning in the College. He also served as Dean, faculty of Education; Dean, Students Affairs; Deputy Vice Chancellor Administration and Acting Vice Chancellor Olabisi Onabanjo University. He died on Friday 17th March, 2017.

Elder Obawusi, known as the father of SSUCOEN, acted as the Registrar of the College having risen through the ranks. He would be remembered for his strict managerial approach to issues. A thorough and dedicated individual, his vast administrative exposure and knowledge has contributed to a sustainable administrative structure in the College.

Mr K.C Oduneyi, a pioneer Student Affairs Officer of the College who also pioneered Senior Staff Unionism in the College was a loyal, hardworking and strict disciplinarian. He was a firm and straightforward individual who made solid foundation for student affairs management on the Campus.

Meanwhile, the College appreciates the concern of the National Alumni Association of the College led by Alhaji Temitope Balogun, for condoling with the College.